Based on the provided scenario, explain why Maria's condition is best described as a phobic disorder rather than a simple fear. In your answer, identify specific examples from the text that align with the defining characteristics of a phobic disorder.

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The term 'phobia' originates from the Greek word for fear. A phobic disorder is defined by an intense, persistent, and irrational fear of a particular object, activity, or situation. This overwhelming fear compels the individual to actively avoid the source of their phobia. Exposure to the phobic stimulus results in significant distress and dysfunction, even when the person intellectually understands that their fear is excessive. Phobic disorders are generally categorized into three types: specific phobias, agoraphobia, and social phobia.

Phobic Disorder

Brazier, Y. (2020, November 26). Phobias: Symptoms, types, causes, and treatment. Medical News Today. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/249347. 

Phobias Article

Derived from the Greek for 'fear of the marketplace,' agoraphobia is an anxiety disorder defined by intense fear and avoidance of situations where escape might be difficult or help unavailable if panic symptoms arise. Such situations often include using public transportation, being in open areas like parking lots, enclosed spaces like stores, crowded places, or being outside the home alone.

Agoraphobia

Social anxiety disorder (SAD) affects about 4% of the worldwide population and is slightly more common in women. Also known as social phobia, it is defined as a persistent,and potentially debilitating fear of meeting new people, being watched, or criticized by others. Some with social anxiety may attempt to avoid anxiety-triggering situations by self-isolating or cancelling plans. It is a profound fear of the judgement of peers, particularly public humiliation. It is NOT shyness or introversion but can sprout from childhood shyness. In a social sense, social anxiety is not just feeling nervous or shy in certain social situations like starting a new job or the first day of school. Social anxiety disorder is a disorder that interferes with everyday life and relationships due to fearing situations where you can be embarrassed or viewed negatively and intense fear of situations where a person with SAD expects the worst. 

Social Anxiety Disorder (Social Phobia)

Coelho, C. M., & Purkis, H. (2009). The Origins of Specific Phobias: Influential Theories and Current Perspectives. Review of General Psychology, 13(4), 335–348. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0017759

The Origins of Specific Phobias: Influential Theories and Current Perspectives, 2009

A specific phobia, formerly known as a simple phobia, is an anxiety disorder characterized by excessive, distressing, and persistent fear or anxiety centered on a specific object or situation. Individuals with a specific phobia often recognize that their level of fear is irrational, yet they may go to great lengths to avoid the phobic stimulus. The anxiety and avoidance behaviors associated with the phobia are typically disruptive to the person's daily life and functioning.

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